Ben Heslop is the programme manager of Cumbria Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), which offers free help and support to businesses in pre and post start-up phases through the British Libraries

The last time I was writing an article about business I had my own business in Carlisle. Fast forward to now and I am in the very privileged position to be heading up a service that supports businesses just like the one I had. 
Being a serial ‘business starter’ I suffered massively from imposter syndrome. No one in my family had ever worked for themselves, there were no tradespeople or company directors waiting to show me the route to forging my own path. So naturally when I started out, I did what most people do… I made it up! 
 My first business in Cumbria was Border City CrossFit back in 2012. I am very happy to say this is still going strong. Back in the early days, it didn’t occur to me that there would be support for someone starting a business. My next business in Carlisle city centre had a shop front and I very quickly got to meet all sorts of interesting and helpful people and groups who could support my venture in all kinds of ways simply because I had a front door and was visible.
 And that is the message I bring here today: business support in Cumbria is alive and kicking and thankfully, comes in many different forms. I am the programme manager for the Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) which is part of a national network of 22 centres around the country run by the British Library. It is my aim to not let anyone thinking of starting a business or having just started one take that plunge without having access to the plethora of support available. We work with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce as well as the LEP, who both provide other excellent initiatives.
 Here at BIPC Cumbria we specialise in taking you from where you are at right now and helping you ask and answer the questions that will move you forward. Sophie Baker, our advisor based in Carlisle Library, has already in the first year helped so many businesses access what they need.  
So, if you are someone or know of someone who is running their own business or has the germ of an idea then make sure they know about us.